The Ultimate Fire Extinguisher Quiz

Having a fire extinguisher handy when you need it may save your life. Find out how fire extinguishers work and how to use them correctly. Our fact-filled quiz will get you started.

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Question 1 of 15

For a fire to ignite, oxygen needs to combine with:

a fuel

For a fire to occur, there needs to be oxygen; the absence of oxygen will cause a fire to extinguish. The reaction between oxygen and a fuel such as gasoline or wood is known as a chemical combustion reaction.

carbon dioxide

hydrogen

Question 2 of 15

For a combustion reaction to take place and thus a fire to break out, fuel has to be heated to its _____ temperature.

functional

ignition

Fuels need more than just the presence of oxygen to ignite. For a combustion reaction to occur, the fuel has to be heated to its ignition temperature.

conditional

Question 3 of 15

Besides a fire itself, what might heat wood enough to ignite?

focused light

friction

both of the above

Focused light, when a mirror reflects the sun onto an object, or friction, when two sticks of wood are rubbed together, can both cause enough heat to ignite a fire.

Question 4 of 15

Extreme heat, oxygen and fuel are needed for a fire to occur. A fire extinguisher is designed to _____ at least one of these elements.

neutralize

Fire extinguishers work by neutralizing at least one of the three elements -- heat, oxygen or fuel -- needed to sustain a fire.

produce

create

Question 5 of 15

What is the best way to remove heat from a fire?

with water

When you put water on a fire, it acts to cool the fuel to below the ignition point, interrupting the combustion cycle.

with sand

with oil

Question 6 of 15

What's the best way to remove oxygen from a fire?

Fan it.

Smother it.

The best way to remove oxygen from a fire is to cut it off from its oxygen supply. To smother a small fire, cover it with a heavy blanket or dump a nonflammable material such as sand or baking soda on top of it.

Blow on it.

Question 7 of 15

Fire extinguishers are filled with:

water

a smothering material

either of the above

Fire extinguishers are metal cylinders filled with water or a chemical smothering material. When you activate the extinguisher, the material is expelled under high pressure.

Question 8 of 15

How often should you have your fire extinguisher checked to make sure it's working properly?

every year

every two years

every six years

As per the recommendation of the National Fire Protection Association, you should have dry extinguishers inspected every six years even if the gauge indicates adequate pressure.

Question 9 of 15

Most dry-chemical fire extinguishers have a built-in _____ gauge.

temperature

pressure

Most dry-chemical fire extinguishers have a built-in pressure gauge. Check the gauge often to be sure that the pressure is not too low to expel the contents properly.

fuel

Question 10 of 15

In a fire extinguisher, what keeps the compressed gas in the small cylinder from escaping?

a release valve

At the top of the main cylinder, there is a small cylinder filled with compressed gas. A release valve keeps the compressed gas from escaping.

a stop valve

a check valve

Question 11 of 15

To use a fire extinguisher, what is the first thing you need to do?

Open the safety valve.

Shake it.

Pull out the pin.

To use your fire extinguisher, pull out the safety pin and press down on the lever. This sets in motion the release of the fire-suppressant material.

Question 12 of 15

What is the function of the metal safety pin of a fire extinguisher?

It keeps the cylinder from closing.

It keeps the siphon from closing.

It keeps the operating lever from closing.

The function of the metal safety pin on your fire extinguisher is to prevent the operating lever from closing accidentally.

Question 13 of 15

Which type of fire extinguisher is popular in restaurants?

carbon dioxide

A fire extinguisher that uses pure carbon dioxide is popular in restaurants because it won't contaminate the cooking equipment or food. Carbon dioxide gas, which is heavier than oxygen, displaces the oxygen surrounding the burning fuel.

water

sodium bicarbonate

Question 14 of 15

Which common ingredient used in baking is the most popular fire extinguisher material?

flour

baking soda

The fire extinguisher in your home is probably the kind that uses a dry chemical foam or powder made of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), potassium bicarbonate (very similar to baking soda) or monoammonium phosphate. The carbon dioxide released when the baking soda decomposes, along with the insulation of the foam, smothers the fire.

sugar

Question 15 of 15

Fire extinguishers are rated by the _____ of fire they can put out.

type

Fire extinguishers are rated by the type of fire they can put out: Class A extinguishers can put out fires involving "ordinary combustibles," Class B extinguishers can put out fires involving burning liquids and Class C can put out electrical fires. Some extinguishers can put out all three, but all fire extinguishers are meant for small, contained fires; for a fire that's spread, call the fire department.